Torquay Olympians reflect on 1964 Tokyo games

THIS year’s Olympics in Tokyo have recently concluded, but there is a little bit of Olympic history in Tokyo here on the Surf Coast that some residents might not know about.

The Torquay Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC) had several former members compete at the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games, all of whom have their names inscribed on the club’s Olympic board.

The six to compete at the 1964 games include Peter Doak OAM (swimming), Richard Garrard Jr (rowing), Michael Withers (water polo), Leon Wiegard OAM (water polo), John Ryan (swimming) and Peter Tonkin OAM (swimming).

Mr Doak was a member of the 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay team alongside Mr Ryan that won a bronze medal back in 1964 and he still resides in Torquay with his wife Gillian.

The former swimmer reflected a little bit more than usual during these Olympics because of where it was hosted, highlighting how much the sport has grown in the last 57 years.

“I probably have square eyes and a square bottom from watching all of the swimming over the last few weeks,” Mr Doak said.

“The swimmers now are much more competitive.

“When I was competing, there were probably six or seven nations that really dominated swimming, particularly America, Australia and Germany.

“Whereas now there are many more countries that are medalling and competing in the finals, which is great to see.”

Mr Doak also mentioned that he always pays attention to the 100m swimming events, watching swimmers like Kyle Chalmers compete.

Water polo athlete Mr Wiegard remembers his Olympic experience vividly, saying that it was a very proud moment representing his country on the world stage.

He and Mr Withers were teammates in the group stage against Russia, East Germany and Rhodesia.

“Having the uniform and wearing the country’s colours, that’s the overpowering feeling you have,” Mr Wiegard said.

“But being a part of it was just a bonus. Actually being involved with that, is really something you don’t think about until a couple of years later.”

Mr Garrard competed as a member of the Coxless Fours in his 1964 Olympic rowing campaign, making it to the event’s Repechage phase. He also lives as one of the few residents of the famed Bells Beach community.

He would spend a week competing, then travel to Mt Fuji and throughout Japan, something he believes does not happen much with Olympic athletes anymore.

Nevertheless, Mr Garrard loved his time at the Torquay SLSC at the time he competed, saying they were some of the best people he ever met.

“The club was just fantastic,” Mr Garrard said.

“Those people there, the president, all of the captains and the members, would tap you on the shoulder and ask how you were all of the time.

“I represented the club at the Victorian championships and to them that was a big deal.

“Everyone at the club wanted to help me, they would set up things like fundraisers to help raise money for me and that’s just how things worked.”

The six men always keep in touch with one another and will forever be linked together by the Torquay SLSC.